India is set for a very tough match in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-final on Thursday against the defending champions, Australia, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Australia is the only team unbeaten so far in the tournament and is aiming for a record eighth title. India, playing at home, is hoping to secure its first-ever World Cup crown.
Group Stage Result: When the two teams met in the group stage, top-ranked Australia successfully chased a record total, beating India by three wickets.
Key Australian Player Injury: Australian captain Alyssa Healy, who scored a century in the group match against India and is the team’s top run-scorer (294 runs), might miss the semi-final due to a calf injury.
Indian Player Injuries: India also faces issues as in-form opener Pratika Rawal is out of the tournament with an ankle injury. She has been replaced by Shafali Verma. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh is also a doubtful starter due to a finger injury.
Top Performers: Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland are the joint leading wicket-takers in the tournament, both with 15 wickets.
Head-to-Head Record: Australia dominates the rivalry, winning 49 out of 60 total ODI matches against India. In World Cup games, Australia has won 10 of the 14 meetings. India’s most famous win was in the 2017 semi-final, where Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 171 led to a major upset.
Rain Rules: There is a 25 percent chance of rain in Navi Mumbai during the game. The match has a reserve day (Friday). If a result is not possible even after the reserve day, Australia will advance to the final because they finished higher in the group stage standings (1st) than India (4th).
With input from DD News.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
